Improvement in horse-collars



JOHN WHITNEY.

Improvement in Horse Collars.

No. 124,184. Patented Fe b.'27, I872.

WNW-

JOHN WHITNEY, OF FRANKLINVILLE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE=COLLARS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 124,184, dated February 27, 1872; antcdated February 10, 1872.

SPECIFICATION.

I, JOHN WHITNEY, of Franklinville, in the county of Oattaraugus and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse-Collars, of which the following is a specification:

Nature of the Invention.

The invention consists in providing an ordinary horse-collar with an open-hinged metal cap for convenience in putting on or off, and which is made otherwise adjustable to fit any-sized horse, as hereinafter fully set forth.

General Description.

In the drawing, Figure l is an elevation of an ordinary collar having my cap. 'Fig. 2 is a perspective of the cap, showing the hinge and dovetail. rated, one side in section.

A B are two metal pieces, which form the cap, held together by a hooked open hinge, a b, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. These pieces are secured inside the collar 0 by means of dovetail pieces 0 c fastened on the inside of the collar, with adj ustin g-holes h h and dovetailed slides 01 d on the cap. These dovetails fit in the crease of the collar, and the cap is held at any point by set-screws c e or equivalents. The hinge, is made with the usual pin f passing through the lugs, and leaving a space for the hook g on the piece B to catch in and thus hold them together. By

simply unhooking them they can be disconnected to put the collar upon the horses neck from below, instead of over his head, as is usually done, the disadvantages of which are well understood. The pieces A B are curved slightly, as shown, so as to preserve the shape of the collar. The edges also form a sort of flange, curving overthe edge of the collar itself, which will prevent chafing. The cap, when raised or lowered by means of the dovetailed pieces 0 c d d, adjusts itself proportionately, at the same time, at the top in length and in width. This is a novel feature, and one of great importance, as, by this means, any-sized Fig. 3 shows the cap sepaneck can befitted. At the same time it possesses all the advantages of the regular closed collar. When attached, it becomes, in reality, part of the collar, extending it up or down, and forming a complete adjustable extension collar. It also preserves the original shape of the whole or closed top collar. By thus dividin g or opening it at the top it overcomes all the objections to the close collar, it being clasped around the neck instead of forcing it over the animals head, besides leaving the top of the neck of the horse untouched, giving a chance for the air to circulate through. It is easily opened to take off, and does away with all buckles and straps.

The open-top collars that are fastened by a buckle and strap are very bad for the horse, as the whole bearing comes on the top of the animals neck, resulting in chafing and sores.

The expense of these caps and putting on only equals the cost of the leather pad, buckles, and straps of other collars, which my device does away with entirely.

I am acquainted With a jointed collar, patented February 28, 1871, but it is not formed like mine. Neither is it adjustable.

I do not claim, broadly, a hinged collar; but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. The two curved metal pieces A B, forming the cap, which are held together at the top by means of the open-hooked hinge a b g, and

are made adjustable by means of the dovetailed pieces 0 d, with adjustable holes h h and setscrews 6 0, arranged in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore specified.

2. I claim the combination of the collar 0 with pieces A B, having hinge a b gf, dove tailed pieces 0 d and set-screws e 0, when arranged as described, and operating in the manner and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J OHN' WHITNEY.

Witnesses J. K. DRAKE, O. N. WoonwARn. 

